Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange has backed a proposed solar park on the outskirts of the city after an initial meeting to gauge interest in the project. ECCO member Neil Jones said he was "very excited" by the proposed cooperatively owned proposed solar park, which attendees of Wednesday night's meeting were told would cut power bills in half for an initial $320 buy-in plus the price of the shares, which is yet to be determined, but in the range of $6000 to $8000. MAP: The rough area of of the proposed solar farm ... The proposed property, opposite Thompson Road on the Mitchell Highway, would be community-owned and run, with help from Energy Democracy. Mr Jones said about 25 people were at the meeting, and with the target membership at 2000 and a minimum of 400 needed, he said a lot more publicity would need to be done, but with very little publicity around the first meeting, more people would come on board. Energy Democracy is expected to submit a development application to Orange City Council in the next few weeks, and will be applying for government funding to help launch the project, with more community consultation over coming months.

ECCO member Neil Jones said he was "very excited" by the proposed cooperatively owned proposed solar park, which attendees of Wednesday night's meeting were told would cut power bills in half for an initial $320 buy-in plus the price of the shares, which is yet to be determined, but in the range of $6000 to $8000.

MAP: The rough area of of the proposed solar farm ...

The proposed property, opposite Thompson Road on the Mitchell Highway, would be community-owned and run, with help from Energy Democracy.

Mr Jones said about 25 people were at the meeting, and with the target membership at 2000 and a minimum of 400 needed, he said a lot more publicity would need to be done, but with very little publicity around the first meeting, more people would come on board.

Energy Democracy is expected to submit a development application to Orange City Council in the next few weeks, and will be applying for government funding to help launch the project, with more community consultation over coming months.